UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 97 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Cheetah Snow Leopard Native Species
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectEnvironment and Ecology
- TopicSpecies
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Consider the following:
1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
Show answer
Answer: B. 1, 3 and 4 only
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1, 3 and 4 only
Analysis
The question asks which species are naturally found in India.
Some species may exist in India today due to reintroduction, but that does not necessarily mean they are naturally occurring in the historical context of the question.
Statement by statement
1. Black-necked crane — Correct
The Black-necked crane is naturally found in India.
It occurs in high-altitude wetlands, especially in Ladakh, and also winters in parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Cheetah — Incorrect
The Asiatic Cheetah was once found in India but was declared extinct in the country in 1952.
The cheetahs currently present in India are African cheetahs reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa, so this does not make cheetah a naturally found species in the context of this question.
3. Flying squirrel — Correct
Flying squirrels are naturally found in India.
Different species occur in regions such as the Himalayas, Northeast India and the Western Ghats.
4. Snow leopard — Correct
The Snow leopard is naturally found in India.
It inhabits high-altitude Himalayan regions such as Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Extra UPSC info
* Black-necked crane is associated with high-altitude wetlands and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
* Snow leopard is a flagship species of the Himalayan ecosystem.
* Snow leopard is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
* India’s Snow Leopard Population Assessment estimated around 718 snow leopards.
* Cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952.
* Do not confuse reintroduced species with naturally occurring native populations.
How to crack it
Black-necked crane, flying squirrel and snow leopard are naturally found in India, while the cheetah is excluded because India’s native Asiatic cheetah population became extinct.
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